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ADDRESS 

^ DELIVERED BY 

KEY. & d: laweenoe jewett, 

PASTOR OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
OF NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J., 

" AT THE FUNERAL OF THE LATE 

COL. JOSEPH WARREN SCOTT, LL.D., 

MAY 4th, 1871. 



At twenty minutes before eleven o'clock, on Thurs- 
day night, April 27th, 1871, Col. Joseph Warren 
Scott, LL.D., at "Buccleuch," his late residence, on 
the banks of the Baritan, surrounded by loving and 
most devoted friends, breathed his last. 

It is painful to outlive one's generation, to outlive 
your old friends, to be the last of your father's family, 
yet, the lives of some — a few — are so interwoven with 
the sacred and memorable past in the history of fami- 
ly, of country, and of great events, so associated with 
the historic, so genial and attractive to the young, 
that they rise superior to the infirmities of declining 
years, are the joy of the household, and continue to 



13 



the end the admiration and delight of those who are 
privileged to witness the serene evening of their days 
— the golden sunset of their life. Of such men it may 
be said, they never grow old. But old age, however 
gently touched by time — beautiful to behold in its se- 
renity — revered for the whisperings of wisdom and 
the breathings of purity — death spares not ; one event 
happeneth to all — "All go unto one place, all are of 
the dust, and all turn to dust again. ;? 

That manly form is now shrouded and coffined— 
those noble features, often lighted with smiles are 
changed — those lips that often uttered the expres- 
sions of social affection, of wit, and the counsels of 
age — that trembled with eloquence in the groves of 
the academy and in the halls of justice, are now silent 
as the grave. That hand too, once so graceful in mo- 
tion, so cordial in its greetings, is now stiff in death. 
Alas ! gone out the light of that once piercing eagle 
eye. God has "changed his countenance and sent 
him away." The places that once knew him shall 
know him no more forever ! 

Col. Joseph Warren Scott, LL.D.. was the grandson 
of John Scott, a Scotchmau, who emigrated to this 
country at a very early period, and who was for a 
long time an honored Elder in the old Neshaminy 
Church, near Philadelphia. 

Col. Scott was the son of Dr. Moses Scott. Dr. Scott 
was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and came to 
this town, and made his residence here some time pre- 



vious to the American Revolution — a man greatly 
honored and beloved. 

By Act of Congress, June 1st, 1777, Dr. Scott be- 
came senior Physician and Surgeon of the General 
Hospital in the Middle District, and through the whole 
war he was connected with, and an intimate friend of 
General Washington. 

Dr. Scott was in the battles of Princeton and Bran- 
dywine, by the side of General Mercer when he fell, 
as well as with Lafayette when he was wounded. 
Col. Scott's father was a true and a marked patriot, a 
very rigid Scotch Presbyterian, a most devoted Chris- 
tian, and for over fifty years an honored Elder in this 
church. Consider what must have been the probable 
influence of such a man upon such a son — you will not 
doubt that he must have feared God, and loved his 
country: in the darkest days of civil strife, he ex- 
claimed, " there is a just God in Heaven, and he will 
never allow such wickedness to prevail." 

Dr. Scott was very fond of his son — was very anx- 
ious that he should be with him when he died • and 
said to him, "1 want you to see how a Christian can 
die." 

At the time of his death Dr. Scott was in the 83d 
year of his age. That father's death, as well as life, 
made a great impression on the Colonel. He never 
forgot, never wearied recalling the scene of his aged 
father's triumphant departure. The scenes of his 
youth had great influence on his own future. 



Dr. Moses Scott had two sons and ten daughters. 
His eldest son, Joseph Warren, died in infancy — at 
the time the British entered New Brunswick. So 
great, warm, and personal, however, was the friend- 
ship of Dr. Scott for General Joseph Warren, that first 
hero of American heroes, and so warm his patriotism, 
and so free was he from superstition in his religion, 
that he also named his second son after that great man 
of his day, General Joseph Warren. 

In this school of patriotism and piety, Joseph War- 
ren Scott was brought up and fitted for duty and use- 
fulness in life, by religious precept and virtuous exam- 
ple. It was his birthright to be associated with men 
who loved the truth, their country, and their G-od. 

His sister, Hannah Scott, a name still fragrant in 
this community — a woman remarkable for her piety 
and good works, who established, over half a century 
ago, the Sabbath-school of this church, left her im- 
press on many minds, as well as upon that of her 
gifted brother. 

About eighteen years ago Col. Scott was left the 
sole representative of his father's family, the ]ast of 
that generation. He had six children. Their mother 
has been dead for half a century ; three of these chil- 
dren are still living. 

Lavinia Agnes, the widow of the late Rev. Eichard 
Yarick Dey, Joseph (Judge Joseph G-. Scott), of Illi- 
nois, and Charles 8. Scott, an officer in this church of 
his fathers. 



Col. Scott leaves also six grandchildren. To chil- 
dren and grandchildren he was the most genial of 
companions. Nor was this the only circle where Ool. 
Scott gave freedom to his heart, and to which he was 
bound by the strongest ties, for he had an honored 
name and place with that society, which was very 
dear to him, which had its origin in the love of free- 
dom, of country, and of home — the old Order of the 
Cincinnati ! How he loved, and how the members of 
that Order loved and honored him, we all well know. 
He was also a member of the old Order of Freema- 
sons — one of its highest officers in this State ; and 
some of their Lodges are named after him ; they too 
would do honor to his memory. 

This life has a history. Here he lies (all that is 
left of him this side of the grave, ready to be carried 
out), a son of worthy sires, a dearly beloved brother, 
an aged uncle, a dear father, a venerable grandfather, 
an ardent patriot, a patriarch in the Order of the Cin- 
cinnati, one of the oldest in the Masonic Order, our 
oldest citizen, a ripe scholar, an honored and once 
brilliant member of the legal profession, an old man, 
eloquent to the last, a man far above ordinary men, 
a remarkable man even to the end ; a member of this 
church, an old, old man, a dear, dear Christian friend. 
Well may we turn aside from the busy hum of life — 
the city stand still — good, patriotic, scholarly, and de- 
vout men assemble. Let us walk softly and with bow- 
ed heads. Yea, mingle our tears over the noble, the 



beloved dead. Let us drop the mantle of forgetful- 
ness over his frailties. Let us linger and talk over 
the marked history, and repeat the story of his vir- 
tues, of his lengthened days, and how he "fell on 
sleep." 

This life, of which we love to think, stretched 
through nearly five score years ; and so strong was 
his constitution, so recuperative were his energies, 
that until within a few days of his death, we could not 
see why he might not be able to reach one hundred 
years. 

We loved him whilst he lived, we love and admire 
him none the less, but more to-day. His was a life of 
intelligent activity, and of varied usefulness. He was 
a friend and champion of " the poorest of the poor." 
I have heard from aged ones, the children of those 
whom he cheerfully and without compensation be- 
friended, of his benevolence, his generosity, and great 
kindness. His was a life which was early favored ; 
he was permitted to enjoy a rare privilege, he looked 
on Washington. Let us travel back to this old man's 
boyhood. His home was with his venerable father, a 
man given to hospitality, whose heart was open to the 
good, and the great, and to the poor. He well re- 
membered playing one day in front of the old house 
of his father, on Albany Street, and of a gentleman 
calling and asking if Dr. Scott was at home ? "No, 
sir!" "Is Mrs. Scott?" "Yes, sir!" "Please go 
in and tell your mother that General Washington 



would like to see her." Col. Scott never forgot how 
he gazed, and looked eagerly again, "impressed," as 
he said, "with the idea that General Washington was 
really a man. 11 

We see from this little incident, how even the chil- 
dren, as well as the men of that early period, gave the 
first place in their hearts to one who has been truly 
called " the father of his country." 

"Washington is a watch- word such as echo ne'er 
left to air." 

It was my privilege (through a written invitation 
from himself) to be present at one of the dinners of 
the Cincinnati in this city. I remember with what 
grace and dignity he presided, how he called upon 
the chaplain, and then upon all present, saying, "Let 
us invoke the blessing of Almighty God." But this 
I wish to note, how with a reverence almost equal to 
that with which he mentioned the name of God, he 
whispered that of Washington. It was (as he intro- 
duced it) with a short, but most heartfelt eloquent 
speech, just previous to the giving of the toast, never 
forgotten, and drank in silence ; it thrilled us. 

Col. Scott was born November 21, 1778, in this 
city, where nearly all the years of his long life were 
passed, and where a grave is now open to receive his 
mortal remains. 

He graduated at "Nassau Hall," September, 1795, 
when within two months of being seventeen years of 
age, with the oldest of living graduates, Judge Herring, 



his classmate and friend (the one a member of the Whig, 
the other of the Clio Society). He was present at the 
installation of Dr. McCosh, and was alluded to by 
William C. Alexander, Esq , in his speech on that oc- 
casion, as the living link between Dr. Witherspoon, 
who a hundred years ago came to this country, and 
Dr. McCosh. Old Judge Herring is here to-day. He 
has sprinkled the coffin with his tears, and left the im- 
press of his farewell kiss on the noble brow of his 
dear old classmate. 

In his young days Col. Scott studied medicine for 
a short period with his father, and for a time studied 
theology — a science suited to his cast of mind, and in 
keeping with his early education, if not congenial to 
his heart. Inquiring of him how he came to take up 
the study and to devote himself to the profession of the 
law, he said he was on a visit of pleasure to a friend 
in New York State ; that whilst there, enjoying him- 
self as a young man, he was requested one day to 
attend a sitting of one of the courts, more particu- 
larly to listen to some able lawyer. He did so, be- 
came greatly interested in the able and eloquent ar- 
gument which he felt himself privileged to hear, and 
that was the occasion of deciding him to adopt the 
noble profession of the law. He commenced its study 
at the age of nineteen, with General Frelinghuysen, the 
father of the late Theodore Frelinghuysen, President 
of Rutgers College. He gave himself ardently to its 
study, and stepped into the arena of the bar at a very 



early age, haying been a licensed Attorney at twenty- 
one years, a Counsellor-at-law at twenty-five, two 
months before his marriage ; and rapidly did he rise to 
eminence in this city, and throughout the State. In 
criminal cases he showed great power, and at times was 
resistless in his eloquence. Those who met him in any 
case knew that they grappled with a giant, for he was 
also remarkable for his legal acumen, wide range of 
reading, and wonderfully retentive memory, and for 
great force of argument. To young lawyers he was al- 
ways kind and ready to give a helping hand. He was 
never known to descend to vulgar personal abuse, 
though when occasion required, he was powerful in sar- 
casm. The study of the law was a passion with him, a 
science of which he never wearied, and in which he felt 
himself at home. He argued his last cause at the age of 
eighty. He spoke for several hours without much phy- 
sical weariness, considering his years, and with great 
credit to his ability as a lawyer, as well as to the 
strength of his memory and ripened powers. It was his 
father's injunction when he commenced the profession : 
" My son, however busy never turn a deaf ear to the 
widow and the orphan." And it is said that he never 
forgot it, acted upon it, and was far, very far from ever 
betraying any mercenary or grasping spirit in his pro- 
fession. High in his charges, but never forward to 
press any amount that might be due to him, even for his 
fees, and hesitating not, again and again, to labor with- 
out pay, and (where his client was poor) with a high 
2 



10 

sense for honor, justice, and humanity, travelling at 
his own expense from court to court. 

Col. Scott was an accomplished scholar, well versed 
in the Latin classics, and accustomed frequently to 
correspond with his friends in the Latin language 
even to the last year of his life. 

With the Westminster Catechism in Latin, as well 
as English, he was familiar ; to him it seemed the 
work of logical and master minds — the ablest unin- 
spired work ever written. 

His Latin Bible was always by his side : his daily 
companion. He loved it; in my pastoral interviews 
with him, it was almost always in his hand and ready 
for reading or for reference. He was a fine belles- 
lettres scholar, and had "the pen of a ready writer." 
He was well versed in English literature, and familiar 
with the old poets. But a few days before he died, 
as his eye caught sight one evening of the new moon, 
his love of nature and love for poetry was expressed 
in those old lines of Addison — 

"Soon as the evening shades prevail, 

The moon takes up the wondrous tale ; 
And nightly, to the list'ning earth, 

Eepeats the story of her birth. 
Whilst all the stars that round her burn, 

And all the planets in their turn, 
Confirm the tidings as they roll, 

And spread the truth from pole to pole. 



In reason's ear they all rejoice, 
And utter forth a glorious voice, 

Forever singing, as they shine, 

" The hand that made us is Divine.' 



11 

Col. Scott was familiar with Scriptural Theology, 
the Bible having been, in his view, the basis of all 
human law. It was ever the man of his counsels as 
it had been the guide of his youth. Said the late Dr. 
Cannon to one of his grandsons: "There are few 
clergymen as well versed in theology as your esteem- 
ed grandfather." He had no doubt — never had — as 
to either the internal or external evidences of Christi- 
anity. Along the great outlines of Divinity he de- 
lighted to range in thought; from boyhood he was 
familiar with the stanch old doctrines of the Ortho- 
dox Fathers. 

Thus the old Scotchmen were wont to bring up 
their sons. He delighted in strong theological argu- 
ments, and again and again remarked he had never met 
with any man who could, either in his speech or his 
writings, compare, as he thought, with the late Dr. 
John M. Mason, from whose works he often quoted. 
Seldom do we meet with more reverence and more 
respect for ministers than he uniformly evinced. 

We stand to-day by the side of one who looked up- 
on and was familiar with the forms of generals, states- 
men, and theologians — men whose names are sacred 
to America and the world. We stand by the coffin of 
one who served in the war of 1812, of one who stood 
by the bedside of the dying Hamilton (that brightest 
intellectual star in the galaxy of patriots), of one who 
heard amongst divines— men great in the history of 
the American Church — Witherspoon, Samuel Stan- 



hope Smith, John M. Mason, Livingston, and Bishop 
Hobart. Not a few of the great men of the Church 
and in the State were his warm personal friends. So 
attached to Col. Scott was the late Dr. John M. Ma- 
son, that " prince of preachers," that when shattered 
in health and broken in intellect he wandered away 
from his home, his son came in search of him to this 
city, and found him at the residence of Col. Scott. 

Few men in this country have had a greater repu- 
tation for brilliant powers of conversation. How he 
loved to talk of the beauty, the heroism, the virtue, 
and the piety of the founders of this Government ; of 
venerable men who have been dead for over half a 
century. They were dear to his heart ; some of them 
warm personal friends, and the thunders of their elo- 
quence he alone could describe. 

Here is severed one of the few living links that re- 
main which bind us to that early period — so weighty 
in its results to the Church and the world. 

Enfeebled by age — unable to attend the sanctuary — 
his Sabbath evenings had long been devoted to the 
reading of the Bible and the sermons of eminent di- 
vines. It was considered a great privilege by his 
children to read to him and to hear his comments. 

At one time, engaged in reading the Bible with 
him, I compared the Gospel of John with some other 
parts of the Scripture, and expressed my admiration 
of the literary beauty, the power, the grandeur of 
thought found in our blessed Lord's intercessory pray- 



13 

er; but he did not approve of comparing one part 
of Scripture with another : saying, that to him all 
Scripture was grand — sublime. 

When I think of his high mental attainments, as 
well as his superior endowments, and the great op- 
portunities he had, from both his social position and 
official relations, for exerting a wide-spread Christian 
influence — I am amazed that he should have so long 
delayed to take a decided stand for Christ — -thus giv- 
ing the clearest, bravest utterances of his faith. 

My personal acquaintance with him has been but 
during the past three years. The great trouble of his 
mind seemed to be in regard to his part in the great 
truths and promises of Scripture. He desired the as- 
surance of faith, and seemed (as is often the case) to 
overlook the necessity of the use of the highest means 
of grace. When to the glory of Sovereign grace, he 
appropriated to himself the righteousness of Christ, 
and grasped those promises which are yea and amen 
in Christ Jesus, then he felt that it was his privilege, 
as well as duty to come to the Lord's Supper. 

The Session of this Church well remember (nor can 
it ever be forgotten) that beautiful Sabbath, a year 
ago the 6th of last June, when he sent for us, and re- 
quested that after the communion services of that Sab- 
bath morning we would meet at his house. It had 
been his strong desire to stand in this sanctuary on 
that day — here publicly to confess Christ. He would 
not give up this desire, until at the earnest persuasions 



14 

of the loving ones at home, he was induced to remain 
on account of his physical inability. At his request 
the Session bore the sacred elements to his home. 
We had assembled. He entered the room leaning 
upon the shoulders of his son and grandson — his long 
white hair hanging over his shoulders, his head 
bowed, his footsteps feeble. Trembling with emotion 
this aged man came as a little child to the feet of 
Jesus. 

Deeply he felt his unworthiness, and trusted alone 
to Christ for pardon, for righteousness, for peace. 
Without any lingering reserve he cast himself on the 
Redeemer's most solemn commands and richest prom- 
ises: with this earnest prayer — '"God be merciful to 
me a sinner " "Lord, remember me when Thou com- 
est into Thy Kingdom." 

Amidst the reading of the Gospel, prayer, singing 
the sweet songs of Zion, and tears — we expressed our 
faith in Jesus Christ, the crucified, taking the Cup of 
Salvation and calling on the name of the Lord — 

" Our faith, looked up to Thee 
Thou Lamb of Calvary." 

Great was our joy, the joy of his family, and his joy 
in the Lord. 

That night his son accompanied him to his room ; 
the venerable old man spoke of (he enjoyment of the 
blessed services in which he had been privileged to 
participate, He remarked that the day was endear- 
ed to him in a twofold degree ; being the anniversary 



15 

of his son's birth, and the day of his own first com- 
munion. 

Toward the close of that week he heard of the 
death of one much loved, and who had been officially 
associated with him in the Order of the Cincinnati. 
That sad intelligence was followed on the 13th of 
June by a slight stroke of paralysis, from which he 
partially recovered. 

In reading, in converse with friends, in admiring 
the beauties of nature, and more than ever devoted to 
the study of the Bible — in meditation and often rapt 
communion with God — he passed the remaining period 
of his life. One who has known him for long years, 
speaks of his happy, hopeful disposition, never knew 
him to speak an angry word, to show the least peevish- 
ness aod irritability so common to age, and in the 
highest terms dwells on his great patience and cheer- 
fulness. 

To all around him he has for many years been the 
fountain of genial influences. A pure-minded man as 
well as strong and brilliant in intellect — his social 
moral virtues outshining all else — full of humor and 
of pure wit ; to the last few days so genial ; and even 
then I saw him calm as a lake long sheltered in the 
bosom of the eternal hills. 

Although his mind was of late feeble — not able long 
at a time to dwell upon some subjects, and his memory 
not so tenacious as of old in the firmness of its grasp, 
yet but a couple of weeks ago he was prompt to give 



16 

a legal opinion, at the request of a particular friend, 
and to refer to legal authority for it. Also to anoth- 
er friend who called and would test his memory in 
Latin, by putting a question in the Catechism and pur- 
posely incorrectly, at once the Colonel reminded him 
of its want of accuracy, and gave also the correct 
response. 

Nor had he lost interest in the outer world. A. 
friend speaking to him of the troubles in France, of 
the code of the Communists in Paris, he expressed 
himself indignant at such infidel sentiments, consider- 
ed such men " a pack of fools,' 7 which opinion he con- 
firmed with Scriptural quotation — "The fool hath said 
in his heart there is no God.' 7 

The day before he died I had a long interview with 
him. I was providentially led thither not knowing, 
when I started from home, that he was ill. He knew 
me. Whilst sitting by his bedside I was led to re- 
mark his strong resemblance to his honored father, 
whose portrait hung from the wall above his couch. 
A few moments passed. I did not know whether he 
had heard me or not. He raised his hand, and with 
an expressive, graceful wave, said, "I consider that, 
sir, a grand compliment. 77 

He dearly loved and honored his father and his 
mother to the day of his death — loving to gaze daily 
at their portraits, to speak of their virtues, of their 
lives, of their triumphant deaths, of hoped-for reunion 
through Christ. 



17 

He fulfilled the command. He received the bless- 
ing. His days were long upon the land which the 
Lord God of his fathers gave to him. At that inter- 
view I read to him the 8th chapter of Romans, a great 
favorite with him. It was the first verse of that chap- 
ter which Mr. Eastburn, that dear old pilgrim, had 
once told me to take to Col. Scott. I had met him in 
the strtet, told him I was troubled about the Colonel, 
and asked him to pray for him, that I was on my way 
out to see him. Said good old Mr. Eastburn, "Re- 
member me to the Colonel. He is a remarkable man; 
used to be a most eloquent lawyer. I heard him 
when he was in all his youthful vigor. Say, I may 
never see him again here on earth, but I hope to meet 
him in Heaven." His eyes filled with tears — his up- 
lifted hand and lips trembling, he said, ''Tell Mm — 
tell him" said the good old Christian, "that there 
is, therefore, now no condemnation to them that are 
in Christ Jesus." — Romans, ch. 8, verse 1. 

Whilst reading this chapter, I had occasion to quote 
the hymn, "Jesus, lover of my soul." "Beautiful," 
he said, and then I spoke of " Rock of Ages," at which 
he lifted his hand and said, " That is a lofty hymn." 
At his request, I led in prayer, closing with the Lord's 
Prayer, in which I heard him distinctly following : his 
voice clear, gentle, rich. 

I saw him again on the last day of his life ; he was 
very feeble, but at once he knew me, and taking me 



18 



warmly by the hand, as if unwilling to let me go, 
" Pray for me," he said. 

In a short prayer, I commended him to the Word 
of God, which is able to build us up, and give us an 
inheritance among them that are sanctified. 

With the evening shadows the departure drew nigh. 
How was he in the swellings of Jordan ? Ere the sun 
set he wanted once more to look upon the shrubbery, 
and the trees, and the deep blue heavens. Gently the 
hours of the night deepened. Toward midnight the 
loving ones who watched him noticed " a look — a look 
of great astonishment — a bright, brilliant gaze up- 
ward " — a smile, and he was gone. 

Peaceful as an infant ' ' he fell on sleep. " 

Death set its seal upon his brow deeper than the 
stamp of age ; and our aged friend is gone — gone to 
the land that is far off — his soul neither shelterless 
nor houseless — he has entered the palace of his King, 
of his hopes! He is gathered to his fathers. He used 
to wish that his hope was as strong as his faith — now 
it is blissful indeed. 

Look at that countenance greater than "age," great- 
er than "death," the immortal soul!!! We are glad 
that he lived so loDg — glad that now he is no longer 
this side of the dark river. We would not, if we 
could, call him back — we believe that through Christ, 
his is now a house not made with hands, eternal in 
the heavens. 

Grant it that sin attended him to the very gate of 



19 

Heaven, so did faith ; and who could deliver him from 
this body of sin and death — who but Christ! Yet, 
with Col. Scott and the fathers, I too believe that here 
the child of faith attains not perfection, but the souls 
of believers are at their deaths made perfect in holi- 
ness. He knew "whom he believed," and that He is 
able to keep that which He had committed unto Him. 
A sinner saved by grace — Christ his all in all. He 
died in the faith of his fathers — in the faith once for all 
delivered to the saints. 

How can any one meet death calmly, save Christ is 
his life? 

How otherwise can death be gain ? Amid the 
damps of the sepulchre, what avails it to the soldier 
that he dies " under the shade of the laurels he has 
won " — to the statesman and lawyer, his world re- 
nowned wisdom and sagacity — to the scholar, his 
talents, the brilliancy of his genius? What! all the 
honor, the gains, the fame of earth ? What, even the 
consciousness of having been good to the poor? Un- 
less our faith can grasp the wisdom of God and the 
power of God unto salvation, as written on the Cross 
of Christ — death will have its sting, the grave its 
victory. 

But some one here may say — 'Tis done and all is 
over — this is the end of man. What ! this coffin and 
this dust the end of thy being? Never!!! No! nor 
didst thou ever believe it! No! that noble intellect, 
that mighty will, that great heart cannot be resolved 



20 

into dust. The Harp — the good old Harp ! It is 
done with here, but as "music flies from the broken 
strings," the spirit within thee mounted to the Throne 
of God. 

The fires that burned within and blazed from out 
that beaming eye so full of thought, of love, Live ! 
Ay, our aged friend still lives ! — [thank God the 
Father, and Christ the Son!] — still lives, and now 
shines with a seraphic beauty, with intenser life. 

If so be, and so we believe it was, that that spirit 
was born again and united to Christ by a living faith, 
then it breathes now "in a purer ether and di- 
viner air." Summers bright forever on the hills of 
God. 

Mourning friends, look not on the coffin — nor to that 
old arm-chair at home — nor rest your eye long on the 
dear old books nor portraits ; behold the Gospel lift- 
ing the star of hope — amidst your tears and the gloom 
of the grave — look up — see his crown — his robe — his 
palm of victory! Rejoice — the God of the aged — of the 
sainted dead — folds but the closer to His bosom of re- 
deeming love the believer. Absent from the body, 
present with the Lord! 

Hail! and farewell, dear aged friend. With you, I 
too believe that "God is just, and the justifler of him 
that believeth in Jesus." 

With you, and that old Christian pilgrim, I believe 
"that there is now, therefore, no condemnation" to 
them that are in Christ Jesus. 



21 



With the dying thief upon the cross, well may each 
and all of us cry out, "Lord, remember me when Thou 
comest into Thy Kingdom. 7 ' 

We too will make ours that " lofty hymn," 

' ' Rock of Ages cleft for me 
Let me hide myself in Thee. " 



At the conclusion of the Address, a Prayer was offered by the Rev. Dr. 
Chambers, of New York City. After the Benediction, the body was removed 
to the basement of the church, the burial being delayed till the arrival of a 
member of the family from Nevada. The interment took place on Saturday, 
May 6th, at 5 o'clock, p. m. 



23 



IN MEMORTAM. 



On Wednesday, May 3d, the members of the Middlesex Coun- 
ty Bar held a meeting in the office of Counsellor A. V. Schenck, 
the object being to take appropriate action in reference to the 
death of Col. Joseph Warren Scott, who was the oldest 
member of the Bar of this State. This meeting was presided 
over by Counsellor William H. Leupp, and Attorney James 
H. Van Cleef officiated as Secretary. The result was the ap- 
pointment of Messrs. G-. B. Adrian, William H. Leupp, and 
A. Y. Schenck, a Committee to draft suitable resolutions to 
the memory of the deceased, and present them to the Court 
to-day, the 23d instant. There was a good representation of 
the members of the Bar present, and Mr. Adrian, the Chair- 
man of the Committee, addressed the Court as follows, and 
then read the subjoined resolutions : 

May it please the Court: — Death has again laid his cold and 
icy hand on one of our number. This time not on the young 
or middle-aged, but on the oldest member of the Bar of New 
Jersey. Col. Joseph Warren Scott is no more. He died 
in this city, on the evening of the 27th of April last, in the 
93d year of his age, and with Christian fortitude and hope ; a 
fitting close to a long and eventful life. We shall see no more 
his manly and venerable form, his beaming countenance, and 
flowing silvery hair. No more shall we see the sparkle and 
fire of liis eye, and hear the sweet accents of that melodious 
voice, which once so charmed and enchained our attention. 
The great lawyer, eloquent orator, accomplished scholar, and 
refined gentleman is at last gone. 



24 



Col. Scott was born in this city on the 21st of November, 
1778. He was of Scotch descent. He was, too, of good old 
Revolutionary stock, for his father, Dr. Moses Scott, was an 
early patriot in that holy cause which gave freedom and inde- 
pendence to this country. Dr. Moses Scott was a Surgeon-Gen- 
eral in the American Army, and an intimate friend and associ- 
ate of Washington and many of his brave compatriots. He was 
at the memorable battles of Brandywine and Princeton, with 
his whole soul glowing with patriotic fire. And he had so 
strong a love and admiration for the heroic men who had tak- 
en up arms in their country's defence, that he named his son — 
him to whose memory we are this day paying a tribute of re- 
spect — Joseph Warren, in token of his high regard for that 
great hero and patriot, who early fell " a victim of his own 
self-devoting heart, and the first great martyr in that great 
cause ; " and of whom the great .Webster said : " Wheresoever 
among men a heart shall be found that beats to the transports 
of patriotism and liberty, its aspirations shall be to claim kin- 
dred with his spirit." 

Col. Scott received his preparatory education for college, 
partly in this city, and partly in Elizabeth, and entered Nassau 
Hail in 1791, and at so early an age, that he was not quite 
seventeen when he graduated. At the time he was at this ven- 
erable institution of learning, Dr. Witherspoon was its Presi- 
dent, and consequently young Scott had the benefit of the ex- 
ample and instruction of that remarkable man. On leaving 
college he studied medicine, but soon abandoned it for a pro- 
fession much more congenial with his tastes and talents. He 
then entered the law office of Gen. Frelinghuysen, the father of 
the late Theodore Frelinghuysen, and devoted his whole time 
and energy to the study of the legal science, of which he after- 
ward became such a master and ornament. He received his at- 
torney's license the 27th of February, 1801, and that of counsel- 



25 

lor the 1st of March, 1804; and subsequently lie was made Judge 
Advocate of this State, and a Prosecutor of the Pleas. He 
commenced the practice of his profession in this city, where he 
continued to live during his life-time. And, as might be ex- 
pected, he rose rapidly to distinction, for he was in every 
respect well calculated to achieve success. In addition to his 
acuteness of intellect, great legal knowledge, and captivating 
eloquence, he possessed a manly form and most pleasing ad- 
dress, He was soon everywhere acknowledged to be a great 
lawyer and orator, and his practice was not confined to his 
own county, but ranged throughout the whole State. 

Those of us, may it please the Court, who knew person- 
ally Col. Scott when he practised at the Bar in all the 
strength and vigor of his intellect, can speak of him in no 
other terms than those of the highest respect and admiration. 
He was, without doubt, one of the ablest lawyers this State has 
ever produced, and we all know she can boast of many who 
have been greatly distinguished for their learning and elo- 
quence. He was cotemporary with such men as Isaac H. Wil- 
liamson, Samuel L. Southard, Garret D. Wall, George Wood, 
Theodore Frelinghuysen, Peter D. Yroom (the last still living 
and adorning his profession), and others of like high charac- 
ter, and it was with such great luminaries in the law that he 
was constantly brought into contact in his professional career. 
And it is enough to say, that in all his legal encounters with 
such men, he ever maintained his ground with consummate 
ability, and not unfrequently bore away the palm of victory. 
His mind was quick, clear, strong, comprehensive, and emi- 
nently legal in its nature, and enriched by years of the closest 
study. He was indeed a learned lawyer and a most eloquent 
speaker. As an advocate before a jury, especially in a crim- 
inal case which admitted of a full display of his oratorical 
powers, he was brilliant and effective. He had great com- 
4 



26 

mand of language, and possessing a rich and vivid imagina- 
tion, and a warm and impulsive nature, his outbursts of pathos 
and eloquence were oftentimes wholly irresistible. 

In his professional intercourse with the members of the Bar, 
he was distinguished for great courtesy of manner. He was 
noble and generous in all his conduct and actions. He scorn- 
ed everything like trick or artifice, and never forgot, even in 
the heat and fervor of debate, what became a high-minded man 
and true gentleman. His face might flush and his eye flash 
with indignant feeling at some personal allusion or cutting re- 
mark, yet he would never descend to low or coarse abuse, but 
oftentimes indulged in withering sarcasm or pointed wit. 

Those of us who were so fortunate as to come to the bar 
when he was in the full zenith of his fame and power can 
never forget, not only his masterly legal arguments, his fervid 
and impassioned eloquence, and his ready wit and repartee, but 
also his exceeding great kindness to those who had just enter- 
ed the professional arena. He was ever frank and easily ap- 
proached, and never turned away a young practitioner who 
sought his advice or assistance. 

Col. Scott was not a mere lawyer, whose knowledge did 
not extend beyond the narrow limits of his own profession. 
He was something more. He was a general scholar. He was 
a great reader, and well acquainted with ancient and modern 
history, and very familiar with the old English poets. Milton 
and Shakespeare he had almost by heart. He delighted, too, 
in the fanciful creations of that great magician, Sir Walter 
Scott. He was also a most excellent classical scholar, being 
well versed in the old Greek and Latin authors. He was, in 
fact, a man of high literary taste and culture, who sought after 
polite learning in all its branches, not only for the great plea- 
sure it afforded, but with the view of making himself a more 
useful and accomplished lawyer and orator. And it was ow- 



27 

ing in no small degree to his extensive reading and general 
scholarship that he was such a skilful, interesting, and impres- 
sive speaker, ever winning his way to the popular heart and 
mind. 

In social life he was a very entertaining and remarkable 
man. He had great conversational powers. He had such a 
wonderful memory, and knowledge of men and things, and 
so full of anecdote and ready wit, that his society was most 
eagerly sought after. And well might the Hon. Hamilton 
Fish, in a recent letter of sympathy on the death of our late 
friend and brother, remark, "that Col. Scott was one of the 
most attractive talkers and agreeable companions that it had 
been his fortune ever to meet with."* 

Col. Scott, with all his great learning and speaking talent, 
never seemed ambitious of political distinction. He was al- 
most too fearless and independent in thought and action for a 
mere party man. He was a presidential elector in 1824, and 
in 1841, a member in the upper branch of the Legislature of 
this State. He was no politician, seeking his own personal 
aggrandizement. He was something far higher and better, a 
true patriot and lover of his country. In the war of 1812, he 
at once responded to the call which his country made upon her 
sons to maintain her flag and her honor. His was a true and 

* Washington, April 28ih. 
Col. Alexandee Hamilton, New Brunswick, N J. : 

My Deae Sir, — Your telegram announces the death of one who, full of years, 
closes a life of much activity, and of marked ability. Genial and bright in 
intellect and in wit, four score and ten years had not, when last I met him, 
quenched the ardor of his warm and impulsive nature ; and I shall ever re- 
member Col. Warren Scott as one of the most attractive talkers and agree- 
able companions whom it has been my fortune to meet. I have written to the 
Secretary of the General Society of the Cincinnati, informing him of the death 
of our associate, and requesting such action as the rules and the past course of 
the Society on such occasions have established. 

With much respect, very truly yours, 

Hamilton Fish. 



28 

loyal heart. He could not have been anything else but a real 
patriot, with such a noble parentage — with such a hallowed 
name as Joseph Warren, and with all his early training, and 
the patriotic recollections of his childhood, when he had the 
great good fortune to gaze upon the placid countenance and 
majestic form of him who was the leader of the American 
forces, and so justly styled the Father of his Country. 

It is upward of thirteen or fourteen years ago since Col. Scott 
practised at the bar. He then withdrew from the active duties 
of his profession, living quietly at his beautiful country-seat, 
but a short distance from this city, surrounded by the loving 
members of his family, whose chief object and delight was to 
contribute to his comfort and happiness. And although dur- 
ing this long period he was in a great ( measure withdrawn 
from public view and attention, he was not, however, forgot- 
ten by his many warm friends and admirers. Those of us 
who knew so well his great talents as a lawyer and orator, did 
not allow his name to glide out of our recollection. And now 
that he has at last so peacefully sunk to rest, full of years and 
of honor, the members of this Bar of which he was so long a 
leading and shining ornament, cannot suffer this occasion to 
pass by without expressing their highest regard for his name, 
memory, character, and worth. Col. Joseph Warren Scott 
will long live in our warmest remembrance, and ever hold a 
bright and enduring place in the annals of New Jersey, as one 
who, in his day, was greatly distinguished for learning, genius, 
and eloquence. 

And now permit me, may it please the Court, to present the 
resolutions prepared by the Committee appointed at a recent 
meeting of the members of this Bar, which was held on the oc- 
casion of the death of our late friend and brother, and respect- 
fully to ask that they may be entered on the minutes of this 
Court : 



29 

1. Resolved, That in the recent death of Col. Joseph Warren Scott, not only 
the Bar of this County, but of the State of New Jersey, have lost one of their 
most gifted members, who for so many years stood in the highest rank of the 
profession ; alike noted for his great natural abilities, profound legal learning, 
and captivating eloquence. 

2. Resolved, That besides being a most learned lawyer and eloquent orator, 
he was widely known for his general knowledge, high literary attainments, 
ready wit, great conversational powers, and patriotic love of country. 

3. Resolved, That in all his conduct and actions as a member of the Bar, and 
of the community in which he lived, he was high minded and generous, and 
ever marked for his uniform kindness and great urbanity of manner. 

4. Resolved, That Col. Joseph "Warren Scott will ever be held in the warmest 
remembrance by the members of the Bar, and that these resolutions be enter- 
ed on the minutes of this Court, as a mark of affectionate regard for the mem- 
ory of one who was so greatly distinguished in life, and is deserving of lasting 
respect and honor in death. 

5. Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the members of the family of 
our deceased friend and brother, in the loss of one whom they so much loved, 
and of whom they were so justly proud, and that they be furnished by the 
Clerk of this Court with a copy of these resolutions. 

6. Resolved, That these resolutions be published in the newspapers of this 
city. 

7. Resolved, That this Court do now adjourn. 

In seconding the resolutions, Mr. Schenck spoke very appro- 
priately, and we may say very reverentially, of the life and 
peaceful and quiet death of the deceased. The occasion was 
one of deep solemnity, and Judge Scudder expressed his con- 
currence in what had been said and done. The resolutions 
were ordered to be duly entered upon the minutes of the Cir- 
cuit Court, and out of respect to the memory of Col. Scott the 
Courts were thereupon declared adjourned. 

The Circuit and Oyer and Terminer Courts were adjourned 
until Friday, July 21, at 10:30 a. m.; and the Court of Quar- 
ter Sessions, Common Pleas, and Orphans Court to Friday of 
this week, the 26th inst., at 10 o'clock, a. m. 



31 



TESTIMONIAL OF BESPECT. 



A Committee was appointed by the American Whig Society, 
of Princeton, N. J., to draw up a series of resolutions of re- 
spect, upon the death of Joseph Warren Scott, LL.D., of this 
State, in condolence with the grief of the family. In accord- 
ance with this appointment, the following were reported : 

Whereas : It has pleased Him who doeth all things well, to remove to a 
high and eternal sphere, Col. Joseph Warren Scott, LL. D. , of New Bruns- 
wick, N. J. , a prominent member of the New Jersey Bar, and who has been 
for many years the oldest living graduate of this Society ; therefore, be it 

Besolved, That while in his removal we would humbly submit to the will of 
an overruling Deity, yet we must lament for him as one who has ever been an 
earnest promoter of our Society's best interests. 

Besolved, That we deplore the loss of one whose life was a high exponent of 
the principle of our motto, and whose honorable public and private character 
proved him well worthy of the high position he maintained among American 
Whigs. 

Besolved, That in his death, the Bar of New Jersey has suffered the loss of 
one who by his eminent forensic attainments and legal talents, constituted 
himself one of its noblest ornaments. 

Besolved, That we extend to the family and friends of the deceased our 
heartfelt condolence, and remind them that while they indeed mourn for a 
friend and a father, we mourn for a brother whose name recalls the earlier 
days of the history of our Society; for one who by his revered presence stirred 
within us the noblest aspirations, and whose memory is not to be forgotten; — 
and be it further 

Besolved, That these resolutions be published in the • ' College World, " and 

the "Nassau Literary Magazine ;" and that a manuscript copy be sent to the 

family of the deceased. 

L. R. SMITH, 

H. W. LIST, 

J. C. CONOVER, 
American Whig Society, Princeton, N. J. 



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